The width of a car, low and easy to tow, the Gidget is an awesome piece of freedom-kit.

Approaching an incy-wincy bridge? No problem. The Gidget just follows you wherever you go without you worrying about how wide it is, or how heavy it is.

Designed by an impressive Australian team, the Gidget takes teardrop camping to the next level with the incorporation of a patented slide-out system that immediately doubles the accommodation space.

It has been in the press quite a bit lately, with the unhelpful tagline of ‘cramping’. Really? It’s the opposite of cramping. Cramping is being stuck in a telephone box with a bunch of old aunties. With the Gidget you can go anywhere and pitch under the biggest sky, on the biggest wide-open patch of the great outdoors and breathe in. Just what are you going to do with all that space?

Once you slide out the Gidget to its full extension, you have an area of complete relaxation, whether in the sitting or sleeping configuration. With the fab windows and overhead skylight, the outdoors just begs to come in, but with plenty of space for everybody to sit smugly in this inspired little den, that just isn’t a problem.

The interior actually houses a queen-sized bed, sheer luxury for most glampers, and the back of the camper flips up to reveal a gorgeous polished timber-clad full kitchen, complete with a two burners, a sink, fridge drawer, pantry and utility drawers. This little teardrop just keeps giving – it also incorporates a fold-up table and a swivelling entertainment console complete with TV, DVD and stereo that can rotate to the outside kitchen area from the indoor living space.

Yet the Gidget isn’t designed to be just cool, or cute. It’s also very, very clever. It’s a humming bundle of power with a 110W fixed roof solar power system and deep battery cycle. With an 80 litre freshwater and 40 litre waste tank, a bespoke satellite dish in the design-pipeline and storage in every conceivable nook and cranny, the Gidget certainly has brains.

Huge hats off to this Australian team. Small the Gidget may be, but it is absolutely, definitely, perfectly formed.

Camping? Glamping? Cramping? The Gidget sits in a category all of its own.

Okay, we admit it, sometimes we fancy camping but with the comforts of home or even the luxury of a hotel. Oh, to kick off those muddy wellies and to roll into a king-sized bed with Egyptian cotton sheets.

Accommodation trends fluctuate all the time but there has been a massive shift towards glamping in recent years, the end of the market where camping is cooler than a polar bear in a chiller. Bell tents with beds, safari tents with full working kitchens, stylish water-tight pods, rambling treehouses, the bliss of an en-suite or, dare we say it, a hot-tub – they’re all out there to be explored. Traditional holiday parks are even starting to install their own uber-cool camping pods and tipis to get a piece of the action. So is this an indicator that glamping is here to stay and actually far more than a passing trend? We think so.

Peter Bull Glamping Pod

Many more people in the UK and around the world are turning to glamping as the stay-at-home solution for a unique holiday. No lengthy flights, ferry crossings or queues at passport control, just the promise of a home-turf adventure and a return to Enid Blyton-style days of dragonfly-hunting, marshmallow-toasting and getting back to the great outdoors, but with a difference. Comfort, luxury, and that something extra special.

Powered by the accessibility of holidays on the internet and the flood of oodles of gorgeous glamping images on our screens, this holiday sector goes from strength to strength – but ironically it’s escapism from connectivity that drives people to seek out this kind of holiday. And without the hassle of putting up tents in order to do it, of course it’s an attractive option. Old-fashioned camping doesn’t necessarily appeal to everyone, whereas glamping is a spoily holiday that most people would probably consider. Back to the wilds of nature and warm, dry comfort with en-suites? The sound of crickets and owls with the luxury of hard floors, crisp cotton beds and unspoilt views? It’s a no-brainer that appeals to families, couples looking for romantic retreats and the older generation who can’t imagine resting their creaky hips against a ground-mat.

So, is anyone up for a spot of glamping? It’s a resounding yes from the team at Anytime Booking! We’re off to the Glamping Show in Warwickshire this Autumn to rub shoulders with some of the people who make glamping happen. Not only are we looking forward to showing the marketplace our fabulous online booking system, which is perfect for glamping businesses, we can’t wait to stay with one of our newest customers, Tiny Wood Homes (http://tinywoodhomes.webs.com).

Tiny Wooden House

With extended views of the Warwickshire countryside, our tiny wooden house has an ickle footprint but comfortable bedrooms, a smart granite-topped kitchen, a separate bathroom with shower, central heating, a wood-fired barbeque and hot-tub. Alice in Wonderland, eat your heart out, we’ll be far more comfortable! But isn’t that the whole point of glamping?

Alice is too big for the house!

If you are around, come to the Glamping Show at Stoneleigh Park between 24-26 September and say hi. It’s free to attend, just register online at: www.theglampingshow.com. Find us on Stand 53 and share all your news, views and ideas on glamping with the Anytime Booking Team.